Recent trends in contraceptive use in Mexico

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Health Policy

Background:

• Family planning services in Mexico were historically limited to the commercial sector and private programs before 1973.
• The Mexican government maintained a neutral stance on family planning prior to 1973.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of Mexico's 1973 policy shift towards supporting family planning.
• To evaluate changes in family planning service delivery and contraceptive coverage.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of family planning service data from 1973 and 1976.
• Estimation of contraceptive protection rates and birth rates.

Main Results:

• Official family planning programs expanded significantly, increasing coverage fivefold.
• The commercial sector experienced over 10% annual growth in services.
• Contraceptive protection for eligible women approximately doubled.
• The national birth rate decreased from 43-44 to 37-40 per 1,000 population between 1973 and 1976.

Conclusions:

• Mexico's policy change dramatically increased access to and utilization of family planning services.
• The expansion of family planning programs was associated with a significant decline in the national birth rate.